Horseback Riding from Guadalupe to Monserrate Private Day-Tour

If you like your sightseeing with sweat and views, this private horseback day tour from Guadalupe to Monserrate is a smart twist. Instead of just riding in a car up the hills, you get on the trail between Bogotá’s two best-known ridgelines, with guides tying the ride to colonial history and pre-Columbian roots. If you go for the scenery, you will get it, fast.

I love how the trip turns Cerros Orientales into a living route, from city-edge stops to steeper, rocky trail riding where your horse actually matters. I also like that the guides pay attention, with names like Luis Vásquez, Diego, and Francisco showing up in real-world guide praise for being patient, clear, and attentive on challenging sections.

One drawback to plan around: food details can be confusing. The info says breakfast and lunch are not included, but the tour highlight talks about typical Colombian fare and some rides include light snacks. I’d treat snacks like a maybe, and budget for food.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Guadalupe and Monserrate from a horse saddle, not a bus window
• Sure-footed horses for steep, rocky, and wet sections of trail
• Guides who explain the hills, including indigenous and rural traditions
• Admission clarity for major stops, with Monserrate ticket included
• Cable car or funicular down after the viewpoints
• Private, all-risk insured experience, with a horse handler with your group

Why Guadalupe to Monserrate feels different from the usual city day

Bogotá has two hill icons: Guadalupe and Monserrate. Most people see them from the roads, in short photo stops. This tour gives you a third way to experience them, on horseback across the hills that frame the city.

What makes the day work is the mix of riding time and guided context. You do more than bounce along dirt paths. You learn how these hills connect to Colombia’s religious colonial era and local traditions tied to rural life and the surrounding valleys. That matters, because otherwise Monserrate and Guadalupe can feel like just another viewpoint.

Also, this is not a gentle pony loop. The ride can be steep, rocky, and wet. You’ll want to bring the right shoes and accept that you might get muddy. If you want a calm, flat trail, this probably isn’t that.

Price and value: paying $116 for a 6-hour private ride

At $116 per person for a private 6-hour day, you’re paying for four main things: transportation pickup and drop-off, real guided horseback time, safety coverage, and the big-hill sightseeing.

You get hotel pickup and drop-off, plus a horse handler and all-risk insurance included. You also get a horseback riding block of about 2.5 hours, which is the heart of the experience. That’s the difference between this and a “viewpoint tour with a short activity.”

Where value can wobble is food expectations. The tour summary mentions breakfast and lunch included, but the included items list says breakfast and lunch are not included. A separate review also mentions a snack not being provided when expected. So if you’re hungry, plan to buy something along the way. This is still good value, but keep your stomach from doing surprise math.

Getting there: hotel pickup, private group vibe, and a guide who stays in control

This is a private tour, meaning it is only your group. That matters on a horseback day because the timing needs to be smooth: saddling, fitting, and moving together between stops without pressure.

Pickup is from your hotel. If you’re in Bogotá on a layover, you can choose the airport as the pickup point for that layover tour. That’s a practical option when you don’t want to fight city traffic with limited time.

Your guide contacts you the day before. That’s handy because you can ask what footwear to wear, what to expect on the specific trail conditions, and whether there’s any included light fare that day.

The tour also requires good weather. If the hills are too poor for safe riding, you should expect a different date or a full refund. That’s not a small detail. It’s the difference between a great ride and a day spent waiting.

Stop 1 on the Cerros Orientales: starting in the Eastern Hills

Your day begins with the Eastern Hills, Cerros Orientales, where Bogotá locals go for hikes and religious monuments with city views below. You’ll spend about 2 hours here, and the entry ticket for this stop is listed as free.

Why this first stop works: you get orientation on the geography before you’re committed to the saddle time. You can see how the ridges face the city, and how the trail route connects the bigger landmarks.

Also, this is where you’ll learn the “why.” The guides connect the hills to cultural layers, including indigenous and rural connections. It sets you up to understand Monserrate later, when the religious colonial history becomes physically obvious.

The possible drawback: it can take a bit to warm up at altitude and with mountain air. If you’re sensitive to altitude, take your time and expect you might feel it early.

Guadalupe hill and the Santuario: first big views and trail-to-trail pacing

Next comes Santuario Virgen de Guadalupe. You start with hotel pickup, then travel south through the mountains to the Guadalupe area for early skyline views. Then you ride or move along the trails that connect the sister hills.

This stop is listed as about 1 hour, and the admission ticket is free. So the cost here is mostly about time and guidance, not entry fees.

What I like about this pacing: you don’t go from hotel straight to a steep ride with zero warm-up. You get a view moment first, then the day starts building energy.

A real-world note from past riders: some people found altitude uncomfortable at first. One guide, Luis Vásquez, reportedly waited patiently while a rider adjusted. That tells you the day is human-paced, not assembly-line rushed, as long as you communicate if you’re struggling.

If it’s raining or the trail is wet, the Guadalupe section can feel slippery. The horses are typically described as sure-footed and confident, but your own confidence still helps.

The Monserrate horseback ride: 2.5 hours on trail plus cathedral viewpoints

The main event is the ride that brings you to Mount Monserrate. The itinerary places Monserrate as about 3 hours, and the admission ticket is included for this stop.

In plain terms, this is where your “I came for photos” brain turns into “I’m actually doing it” brain. Reviews emphasize that it is no pony ride. The trail can include steep downhill slopes, rocky ground, and wet patches. Your horse will guide you more than you guide it, especially on the downhill portions.

Here are the moments worth planning for:

• Learning the trail rhythm: guides tend to slow things down so you can get used to riding. Luis Vásquez, in particular, was praised for taking his time and helping less-experienced riders feel steady.
• Going downhill: multiple riders call this the make-or-break section. If you accept the horse lead and keep your balance, the reward is huge.
• Forest and mountain edges: the ride passes through a mix of countryside farms and greener trail segments, so you don’t just stare at dirt for hours.

Once you reach Monserrate, you get more than a viewpoint. You get a guided introduction tied to the hills’ religious colonialism and the transformations that shaped what you see today. Then you’re at the famous area with the cathedral and wide perspectives over Bogotá.

If you’re going on a Sunday, plan for extra atmosphere. At least one rider noted Monserrate parties were in full swing on a Sunday, which can add energy to the cathedral area and viewpoints.

A walk in Bogotá and the cable car or funicular descent

After Monserrate, the day isn’t only about the hills. You also end with a short walk around important spots in the city.

One specific stop mentioned in the route is Casa Museo Quinta de Bolivar, a notable landmark tied to Simón Bolívar’s story. That’s a good use of time after the physical effort of the ride, because walking city sights is easier than hiking hill trails.

Then you enjoy the late-day views before descending back to Bogotá using a cable car or funicular. This is a nice pacing trick: you get the mountain sky time, then you return without repeating the same steep approach on foot.

That cable car or funicular segment also helps you reset. Your legs will be tired, and you’ll probably be happy to hand the vertical travel to the infrastructure.

What to expect on the trail: steep, wet, and very real horse riding

Let’s talk gear and expectations, because this is where many people decide on the spot whether the tour is for them.

Based on the route and rider feedback, expect:

• Steep, rocky terrain at times
• Wet conditions possible, since the trails can be damp
• Messy clothing if it’s been raining
• A need to trust your horse, especially on downhill slopes

Horses are described as sure-footed and confident. Still, this is a wild-ish edge of a big city. You’re riding in the Andes hills, not on flat arena ground.

If you want a safety net, look for the option to walk if you feel uncomfortable. At least one rider reported there is the choice to walk if you’re not fully comfortable, instead of forcing all riders into the same riding pace.

Altitude can also be a factor. Bogotá sits high, and hill excursions add extra altitude stress for some people. If you’re prone to altitude headaches, take it slowly early in the day, sip water, and let the guide know right away.

Finally, weather matters. The operator requires good weather. That means if skies are poor, the plan may change.

Who this tour is best for, and who should pick a calmer option

This tour is great if you want:

• a hands-on experience rather than another car-and-photo day
• city viewpoints with context, not just scenery
• real interaction with guides, including explanations tied to local traditions

You do not need prior horseback experience. The tour explicitly says previous horse riding experience is not required, and multiple riders with limited experience reported they felt steady by the end.

This is also a good fit for families with teens, because the minimum age is 12. Just remember it is still a physical day with steep terrain.

You might not love it if:

• you want flat, easy riding
• you don’t tolerate muddy boots or wet trails
• you have mobility issues that make uneven ground difficult
• you’re expecting a lazy scenic pony ride, because the trail can be rugged

If you’re unsure, ask questions when your guide contacts you the day before, especially about the trail conditions on your exact date.

Should you book this Guadalupe to Monserrate horseback tour?

I’d book it if you’re excited by the idea of seeing Bogotá’s two hill icons in motion, with guides who talk history and traditions while you ride. The private group, all-risk insurance, and the 2.5 hours of horseback riding are real value for an active day.

I’d hesitate only if you strongly need guaranteed included meals, because the info and real-world expectations don’t line up neatly. Plan to handle food yourself, at least for backup.

If you’re ready for steep, rocky, wet-trail reality and you can trust the horse, this is one of the more memorable ways to experience Bogotá’s Cerros Orientales.

FAQ

How long is the Horseback Riding from Guadalupe to Monserrate private day tour?

The tour lasts about 6 hours.

How long do we ride horses?

Horseback riding is included for about 2.5 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $116.00 per person.

Is this a private tour, and do we get hotel pickup?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and it includes hotel pick-up and drop-off. Only your group participates.

Do I need prior horseback riding experience?

No. Previous horse riding experience is not required.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12 years.

What about insurance and who helps with the horses?

All-risk insurance is included, and there is a horse handler with the group.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

The tour highlights mention breakfast and lunch included, but the included and not included list states breakfast and lunch are not included. It’s smart to confirm with your guide when they contact you the day before.

How do you get back down to Bogotá after Monserrate?

After enjoying the views, you descend back to Bogotá in a cable car or funicular.

What if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What if I have a layover in Bogotá?

If you have a layover, you can select the airport as the pick-up point for the layover tour.